Primary-source writings and related research materials by and about Nureki Chimuo.
This archive brings together primary-source writings by and about Nureki Chimuo preserved through the Kinbaku Research Platform. Translations retain their original translator and editor credits.
220 writings · 4 sources
Archive writings
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Ichiba’s “The Head Lantern”
Ryutei Ichiba’s “The Head Lantern” was scary. The protagonist is a native of Edo, and the second half consists almost entirely of this character’s monologue. In other words, it’s set in the world of period dramas. If I had to say what was so terrifying, it was first and foremost the situation of a p…
Read translationA Letter from Mr. Otagura
I received a letter from Mr. Akiyoshi Otaguro. I am reprinting that letter here. Mr. Otaguro’s letters are always handwritten, in his own hand, in meticulous regular script, with not a single stroke out of place. Naturally, I find myself sitting up straight as I read them. It was placed in an envelo…
Read translationThe Second Letter from Mr. Otaguro
Last time, I wrote that I’m currently working on “The Tengu’s Mischief: Continued” and have been struggling through a week or more of sheer agony… To tell the truth, it’s been far longer than a week. In fact, it’s been going on for over a month, nearly two months. I just can’t seem to find a breakth…
Read translationA Letter to Akiyoshi Otaguro
To Akiyoshi Otaguro-san. This morning, as I was flipping through the morning paper and looking at the classifieds, I came across an announcement of an upcoming book from the publishing company where you’ve started working. When I read it, I thought, “Ah, so that’s it,” and “Hmm, I see.” And (if I ma…
Read translationThank You for All the Books
“Nureki Chimuo Sensei. Akiyoshi Otaguro Thank you very much for your kind letter and your handwritten manuscript. I will read the five short manuscripts (scripts) you sent me carefully and at my leisure at a later date, and I will write my impressions at that time. However, just one thing. One of th…
Read translationIt’s Time to Study!
I’ve been working single-mindedly and with total dedication to clear away the mountain of work that loomed before me, and now I’ve finally reached a point where things have settled down a bit. Over the past three-plus months, even though I knew I was pushing myself too hard, I somehow managed to wor…
Read translationRefreshing Eroticism
The more than forty paintings on display at “Masagoten” left a surprisingly deep impression on me. Huh? What did you say? You’re asking if I really feel that way even about paintings that don’t depict ropes? Come on, come on, come on, you can’t be serious. SM. Rope is nothing more than a medium that…
Read translationA Poem from Sixty Years Ago
I am a third-rate writer (san-mon). For those who don’t know what “san-mon” means, I’ll look it up in the dictionary I have on hand. “San-mon”: The price of three mon coins. An extremely low price. When attached to other words, it conveys meanings such as “cheap,” “of low value,” or “poor quality.” …
Read translationAt the “Hakuran” Coffee Shop
Two months ago, no, even long before that, when we passed by, Rakka-san had shown interest in the old-fashioned atmosphere of that coffee shop’s facade and said, “I’d like to go inside.” I grunted and shook my head, making it clear that I didn’t want to go in. Then we quickly walked right past the s…
Read translationHirate’s Final Moments
I had Rakka-san read the script for the previous episode of this “Talking Theater.” “Back then, did Terushi tell the Sensei that his illness was cancer?” she asked me. By “sensei,” she meant me. I’m certainly no sensei to her, but for some reason, she’s been calling me that out of habit for as long …
Read translationThe Day I Traveled Up the Sumida River
First, I’d like to explain something. There’s a reason why I’ve used somewhat confusing katakana names like Terushi and Shingo, and why I’ve kept the details of the circumstances surrounding their activities vague rather than using easily recognizable proper nouns. There are people (and it’s safe to…
Read translationMy Profile: I am Now 83 Years Old
Dear ○○○○-sama. This is in response to your message. I have indeed received, addressed to me, Nureki Chimuo, an envelope labeled “Japan Post Letter Pack Light” containing a beautifully prepared document, twenty-four sheets of A4-size paper with small text neatly arranged. Inside was a letter from yo…
Read translationGently, Warmly
The ability to see the endearing human nature that lies hidden behind the negative, the delicate sensibility and keen eye that allow one to perceive truths, subtle charm, humor, and even beauty, things found nowhere else, within what everyone else frowns upon and dismisses as ugly. Minomura Ko was a…
Read translationI See, I See, I See!
Director Nakahara gave a blunt critique right in front of me of the “Talking Theater” I’d been writing over the past month or two. “Sensei, please go back to the substance of your early ‘Talking Theater,’ from when you first started writing them.” “Huh? What? Has my ‘Talking Theater’ changed that mu…
Read translationInstead of Writing a “Chronology”
Even someone as insignificant as I am occasionally catches someone’s eye, and they go out of their way to look up my background, or something like a brief biography, and write about it. That’s sometimes published in magazines and other places in the form of a feature article. No matter what anyone s…
Read translationIn the City of Illusions
Rakka-san and I went to the City of Illusions together. The phrase “City of Illusions” sounds rather trite, cliched, and unoriginal, but I can’t think of a better way to describe it. “Today, I’m going to take you to a certain place for about four hours. When the four hours are up, I’ll take you home…
Read translation“Miscellaneous Essays on Perverted Theater” and “Nana”
Mr. Akira Kuroda. Thank you very much for sending me “Miscellaneous Essays on Perverted Theater (Complete Edition)” by Koichi Hata from the “Perverted Literature Series, Volume 8,” as well as “Nana,” translated by Mitsuo Oda and published by your company. “Miscellaneous Essays on Perverted Theater,”…
Read translationFrom Shorthand Storytelling to Popular Novels
○○○○-san. I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the five-page printout of valuable materials regarding “Kodan = Koshaku”17 that you kindly sent me. I was truly amazed by the numerous detailed and substantial printed materials. I had no idea they existed. Although I’ve spoken and written a…
Read translationA Masterpiece! “History of Japanese Women’s Attire”
My friend Mr. K gave me a large, beautifully bound book titled “History of Japanese Women's Attire.” Although it’s called a “History of Women’s Attire,” it’s not a history of the hobby of men dressing as women.22 It is, quite simply and frankly, a history of women’s clothing, including hairstyles, d…
Read translationAddendum
Translation from the event page for the Sex Industry Museum’s showing of Shizuhiro Usui’s paintings The event was a huge success. The venue was pacted to capacity, with so many people in attendance that we were at the very limit of our capacity, even having some guests standing. We sincerely apologi…
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